I got a sony DSC-H10 which I used a lot but not always content over the picture end result which seemed fantastic on its small lcd screen, got also a panasonic lumix DMC-FS16 which I bought in jan for my holiday where I would be most of the time on the beach. Photos where ok but when I made photos indoors they came out far below expectations and I knew that my 8.1mp sony would have done a way better job then this new panasonic 14.1mp camera.

I make quite alot of pictures on the moment I see something worth making a photo from, could be a marvelous sunset or my animals ( pets, dog, 2 cats and a cockatoo ) and I enjoy doing that.

Though now I am thinking, what would be the next step up as I would like to try to improve the quality of photos I make and I think a bit better camera would help on this.

Now which? Been reading reviews and the reactions of people on the results of those reviews and there are a lot of people who say this is good and the next reacts on it that it is crap. So that confuses me a lot but between all this I looked at the panasonic lumix FZ48 and FZ150, Fuji FinePix HS30 but also at the Canon EOS 1100D.

I ''try'' to get something under the 400 euros.The FZ48 I see for 277 euroThe FZ150 for 379 euroThe HS30 for 419 euroand the 1100D for 389 with EF-S18-55 IS II lens incl.

So now I am in between these, though I am open for any other sugestion if some one has an other idea of model I might look at or what might be better suited for me.

ps: I seen some big prize differences on the eos 1100D depending on the lens, as I saw the EF-S18-55 IS I for 80 euro cheaper ( 419-499) then for the EF-S18-55 IS II ( which seemed to be in the shop the III ) is there so much difference in quality on the version I, II or III of the same ( ?) lens type that comes with the camera?

For quality: The 1100D all the way. If you want something smaller with excelent quality at day, though ''quite good'' quality in lower lit conditions, have a look at the Canon G12 also! Excelent machine for the holiday photos and for learning the rules of photography.

The Nikon D3100 is a great choice. As you said it's very similar to the Canon 1100D with similar lens options. You can't really go wrong with either.

How about visiting your local CE/photography store and holding them both in your hands and run through the menus? A dry list of specifications is all well and good but until you handle both, you probably won't know which is better for you i.e. the one you're more likely to use, getting the most out of your investment.

Yes I might go and check tomorow as I saw a offer of the d3100 with the 18-55 and 55-200 VR, 4gb memory, some book how to make photos and a small type of bagpack ( or how you call these ) with 5 year warenty for 669euros, seen online this for 619, though there I am not sure if its with the 5 years warenty.

Would this be a good to start or better to get first the basic pack with the 18-55 for 449? The offer might be good its still a lot of money.

The bundle sounds like a good deal and if you believe you'll make regular use of the 55-200mm lens then it I think it offers pretty good value for money.

My reservation is the five-year warranty. I'm not saying it sounds too good to be true but that sounds like a long warranty for an entry-level DSLR. I would question what is and isn't covered with a fair amount of scrutiny.